Which clinical condition is consistent with a hemoglobin of 7.4 g/dL and a reticulocyte count of 22%?

A hemoglobin level of 7.4 g/dL indicates significant anemia, and a reticulocyte count of 22% reflects a strong compensatory response from the bone marrow. This high reticulocyte count suggests that the body is attempting to produce more red blood cells in response to the anemia, which is characteristic of hemolytic processes.

In the case of warm autoimmune hemolytic anemia, the body produces antibodies against its own red blood cells, leading to their premature destruction. As a result, the bone marrow is stimulated to increase red blood cell production, which is evidenced by the elevated reticulocyte count. This scenario aligns well with the symptoms presented, where the patient is anemic and the marrow is responding effectively.

The other conditions listed do not typically present with such a high reticulocyte count in response to the anemia. Cold hemagglutinin disease usually leads to red blood cell destruction at lower temperatures rather than the warm reaction seen in autoimmune hemolytic anemia. Penicillin-induced hemolytic anemia tends to have a more variable course and may not consistently show such elevated reticulocyte levels as a clear indication of bone marrow response. Likewise, delayed hemolytic transfusion reactions may show an increase in reticulocyte